Artist

About

Iconic saxophone player Denys Baptiste is a keystone in the British jazz scene and a hero to the younger generation of London nu jazz players.

From the moment he joined the London jazz circuit, Denys displayed extraordinary talent, energy and commitment. Spotted by veteran Jazz Warriors double bassist, Gary Crosby at the bassist’s regular Tomorrow’s Warriors jam sessions, Denys was immediately invited to join Crosby’s new band, Nu Troop. Since then, Denys has soared in his development as a soloist and bandleader, earning enormous respect from his peers.

His colossal talent – based on a powerful technique and an ability to improvise fluently and effortlessly across a wide range of musical styles – is matched only by his unfettered energy which takes him and his audiences into the musical stratosphere. An evening with Denys guarantees a display of unsuppressed expression, ranging from sweet “saxuality” to breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat virtuosity. Over the years, Denys has evolved into what the Time Magazine describes as “the icon of British jazz”, with a most distinctive and immediately recognisable sound.

His album The Late Trane, recorded for Edition Records, was an internationally praised re-imaging of the late music of John Coltrane.

Artist’s Website
"Bandleader, composer and educator Denys Baptiste is among the generation of musicians, many of them of Caribbean or African heritage, who pointed the way for the younger players who have emerged on the London jazz scene since around 2015.”
All About Jazz

Catalogue

Cat#TitleArtistE2FormatsYear
EDN-1093The Late TraneDenys BaptisteWAV • MP32017

Videos

"...he plays so enthusiastically and resourcefully you gradually forget you're listening to Coltrane’s songs. His own pieces are also strong, and there the influence of Coltrane is clear.”

De Volkskrant

“the icon of British jazz”

Time Magazine

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